Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area

Costa Rica National Parks

Chirripo National Park





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Chirripo National Park Costa Rica
Area   125,600 acres

Location
9.48°N, 83.48°W
  San Jose, Limon and Cartago Provinces

Max. Elevation

12,532'

Precipitation

up to 150 inches

Date of Creation

30 August 1975

Los Crestones Chirripo National Park












Park Attractions


The Chirripo National Park protects forested areas in the southern Talamanca Mountain region, south of Tapanti National Park. Mount Chirripo is the highest peak in Costa Rica.


Cloudforest below Chirripo Peak



Driving Directions


To reach Chirripo National Park Costa Rica, take the Interamerican highway out of San Jose to Cartago, then continue to San Isidro de El General. From there, take the road that leads to San Gerardo de Rivas.


Mount Chirripo Peak


There is more than 8,000' of elevation change from the San Gerardo Station to the peak at Mount Chirripo, Costa Rica. Vegetation and climate conditions change with elevation, and temperatures can be below freezing at certain times of the year.

No technical climbing or mountaineering expertise is necessary to reach the peaks in the Park, but the steep trek is approximately a 30 mile round trip, and typically planned for 3 days.


Chirripo Los Crestones Base Camp

The mountains in this area are covered in thick primary cloud and rainforest to about 9,000' elevation. From there, the Paramo, or wet desert is the primary ground cover.

Chirripo Peak

Park Facilities and Hours

The Ranger Station is found in San Gerardo de Rivas, and is open for visitor attention from 5am to 12pm.

Glacial Lake at Chirripo National Park

Los Crestones Base camp is equipped with bunk beds, a cooking area, and cold showers. Reservations are required. Call 771-5116 in San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica

The only other camping allowed in the Park is at the Indian Pass Camping Area along the Uran Trail.

Mt. Chirripo 12,532'
Ventisqueros  12,467'
Cerro Terbi 12,336'
Mt. Uran  11,811'
Crestones Base Camp  11,152'

San Gerardo Station  4,430'


National Parks of Costa Rica
Chirripo National Park Costa Rica



© 2005-2023 CCSA all rights reserved - Costa Rica National Parks data and maps adapted from SINAC and MINAE